Flash compensation display: camera vs speedlight

MinnBen

Senior Member
Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but will give it a try

I have a D3100 camera and a SB700 speedlight. I can change the flash compensation either on the camera or on the speedlight, but the changes on either are not reflected on the display of the other. In other words, if my camera shows a 0 for flash compensation and make a change on the speedlight, that change is not reflected on the camera. Vice versa if I make the change on the speedlight.

So, my question is what is my actual flash compensation? Does one take precedence over the other? Are the additive?

Thanks.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
did you put the D3100 in commander mode and the flash in slave mode? does the D3100 even have commander mode for the camera flash? does it support cls?
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
cheapest route that works very well is a yongnuo 603II set. 1 on camera and a 560 III/IV flash off camera. no ttl, but from using their 622n in ttl, its not consistent and not repeatable reliably. and you can put the other trigger on the SB700 and use two flashes. $100 with shipping is what itll cost you total. 1 flash & two triggers
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
always get the flash off the camera- ALWAYS. its not always possible becauise of the situations we shoot (I do weddings) but I always have some off camera flash supplementing.
 

MinnBen

Senior Member
Thank you for the advice. I am just trying to understand the relationship between the FEC display on the camera vs light.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I can tell you setting FEC on both the camera body and the flash unit itself WILL have a cumulative effect. I've trained myself to use the Flash Compensation button the camera body ONLY, so I don't inadvertently wind up with more compensation than I intend.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but will give it a try

I have a D3100 camera and a SB700 speedlight. I can change the flash compensation either on the camera or on the speedlight, but the changes on either are not reflected on the display of the other. In other words, if my camera shows a 0 for flash compensation and make a change on the speedlight, that change is not reflected on the camera. Vice versa if I make the change on the speedlight.

So, my question is what is my actual flash compensation? Does one take precedence over the other? Are the additive?

Thanks.


They do add to a total flash compensation, each in its amount. The result and the Exif will show the total.

On Nikons, the Exposure Compensation also adds to the Flash compensation (and EC also affects the ambient individually).

For example, if you wanted -1 EV ambient, but were also using flash, you might set -1 EV EC, and then +1 EV FC to bring the flash back up to zero. Pros and cons either way (of Not adding EC to FC), but this method allows changing the total exposure of both in one adjustment. Some later Nikons have a menu to allow either way.
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
The thing to know is that if you see the black +/- icon in the camera top menu or Info, then you know some compensation is on somewhere. It is of course our job to know where and why. :) But it will tell you something is not zero.

Setting Flash compensation in one standard way is a good practice to help not forget the other is on, but the camera FC only goes to +1 EV. Seems usually enough, but if you want more, you have to do something else. The flash itself probably goes to +3 EV (which can add to +4). Or Exposure Compensation also does +5, and ambient typically has little or no effect indoors with flash (assuming low ISO), or in camera Manual mode, so it can add too, to help the TTL flash.

Adding flash compensation can help the flash deliver more of its flash power, but it cannot increase the total amount of flash power that is available. Saying, compensation can't help those cases needing more flash capability.
 
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rocketman122

Senior Member
Your photo shows you shooting with on camera flash. :)

nice eye! you must at weddings. but I always have supplementary flashes off camera. at LEAST 2. and not always do I have it on. many times im shooting with my 85 1.8d and just using my supplementary off camera flashes. but when you have time to shoot, always get it off camera. family formals and outdoor G&B location shots, flash is off camera on stands
 
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